Pedal-action.



M. P. RICHARDSON.

PEDAL ACTION.

APPLICATION FILED PEB. 1s. 1908,

Patented Dec. 8, 1908.

N Snom/1ro@ @mi in @aus Cit MARK F. RICHARDSON, OF LEONIA, NEW JERSEY.

PEDAL-ACTION.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 8, 1908.

Application filed February 18, 1908. Serial N o. 416,514.

To all 'whom 'it may concern:

Be it known thatI, MARK F. RICHARD- soN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Leonia, in the county of Bergen and State of New Jerse have invented a new and useful Pedal-Action, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to pedal actions for pianofortes, and has for its object to provide a new and improved construction of parts in a pedal action for pianofortes by means of which the cost of manufacture will be lessened, the parts will be simplified and eflicient and a durable pedal construction will be provided.

This object is accomplished by providing in a pedal action for piano-fortes removable rock shafts for the action posts, and mounting them in their bearings in such a way that they may be readily removed from their bearings, or adjusted in case of wear.

The invention further has for its object to provide certain improvements in details of construction of a pedal action for pianofortes, as hereinafter set forth and claimed.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, in which like parts are indicated by similar reference numerals, Figure 1 is a plan View of a piano pedal action constructed in accordance with this invention. Fig. 2 is a detail View, partly in section of an end of one of the rock shafts, showing the adjustable and detachable connection for its bearing. Fig. 3 is a transverse section on the line 3 3 of Fig. l. Fig. 4 is a detail view showing the center or practice pedal connection. Fig. 5 is a plan view of a modification showing one of the rock shafts mounted in its bearings.

As shown in Fig. 1 three rock shafts 1 are mounted in fixed bearings 2 secured to the base of a piano. Between said bearings the rock shafts 1 are provided with arms 3 extending at a right angle thereto and projecting through openings 4 in the movable block portion 5 of the pianoforte. The arms 3 are connected with pedals 6 in the following manner: The pedals 6 are formed at their forward end with a rectangular socket 7 in which lits the outer end of the arms 3 secured therein by a screw 8. When it is desired to remove a pedal, the block or piece 5 may be detached and on removing the screw 8 the pedal may be pulled away from the arm 3. The pedals 6 are each held up in the usual manner by a spring 9. In addition to the bearings 2 at the end of the rock shafts 1, an intermediate bearing 10 is provided through which said rock shafts pass. In order that the rock shafts 1 may be adjustable, one end thereof is provided with a socket 11, preferably of metal, in which rests the end of a short rod l2 preferably of wood mounted in a bracket 13 and held therein by a screw 14. In the action of the rock shaft the end having the socket turns upon the tapering end 15 of the rod 12 and anywear owing to the action of such rock shaft will take place on the end of said rod 12. In order to compensate for such wear, the rod 12 may be adjusted so as to fit more closely in the socket 11 by loosening the screw 14 and advancing the rod 12 against the socket 11. This construction just described also permits of the removal of the rod l, when required, and by loosening and drawing back the rod 12, the rock shaft 1 may be drawn out of its bearing at the other end. The advantage of this construction lies in the fact that in the case of rock shafts formed with ends bent at right angles on the outside of the bearings at each end, it is necessary to remove the bearings to remove the rock shafts.

The rock shaft 1 formed without bent ends is a cheaper and simpler construction, besides permitting of removal from its bearings without disturbing the latter. As here shown, the rock shafts 1 carry adjustable metal arms 16 on the outer end of which are mounted the action posts. The arm 16 may be adjusted on the rods 1 by means of a set screw 17 clamping the arms 16 to the rods 1, said arms 16 having their rear ends formed with a hole through which the rod 1 extends, and by means of which the arm 16 may slide on the rod 1.

In addition to these features already described, a particular form of practice pedal connection is provided. This is shown in detail in Fig. 4. An adjustable arm 1S is mounted on the center rock shaft 1 similarly to the arm 16, and said arm 18 is provided at its outer end with a recess or socket 19, in which recess rests the lower end of a pin 20 depending from the rear end 21 of the lever arm 22, and normally held by means of a spring 23, the outer end of the lever arm 22 carrying an action post for the practice pedal connection.

In lieu of having the adjustable connections between one end of the rock shafts 1 and their bearings, such as set forth in `Fig. 2, the rock shafts may have both ends resting in xed bearings 24, as shown in Fig. 5.

What is claimed is l. A pedal action comprising a base, spaced bearings mounted thereon, a shaft journaled at its opposite end portions in said bearings, a laterally disposed arm mounted upon the shaft, a pedal attached to the shaft, a bracket mounted upon the base and a stub shaft adjustably mounted in the said bracket and having an end bearing against the end of the first said shaft.

2. A pedal action comprising a base, spaced bearings mounted thereon, a shaft journaled at its opposite end portions in said bearings, a laterally disposed arm adjustably mounted upon the said shaft, a pedal attached to the said shaft, a bracket located upon the base and an adjustablel stub shaft mounted in the said bracket and bearing at its end against the end of the first said shaft.

3. A pedal action comprising a base, spaced bearings mounted thereon, a shaft journaled atV Vits opposite end portions in said bearings, a laterally disposed arm mounted upon the said shaft, a pedal attached to the said shaft, a bracket mounted upon the base, a stub shaft adj ustablyv mounted in said bracket, and having cone and socket engagement with the end of the first said shaft.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I liavef liereto aflixed my signature in the presence ofl two Witnesses.

MARK F. RICHARDSON.

IVitnesses:

SIDNEY BULLocK, WALTER PHILLIPS. 

